Local Flavor, Summer Treats

You’ve been patient – you’ve mowed the lawn on a hot summer’s day, encouraged your child’s ball team on the sidelines of a hot, dusty field at General Clinton Park or visited Bainbridge to shop and now you face a drive home. Surely a treat is in order, for you and the family,

Thankfully, Bainbridge has some local delights to choose from – and affordable, too.

What a treat to visit the memorable places in Bainbridge where ice cream cones are so big they can’t be compared to a regular community stands, or large, homemade doughnuts drip with the sugar that has just been drizzled on them. On vacation recently, I was struck by the huge price, small quantity and bland flavor of the ice cream cone I purchased at a stand out of town. I was dreaming of home … where the ice cream is abundant and flavorful. I had clearly taken such treats for granted.

Here are three places that provide sensational sweets:

The Bob’s Diner Ice Cream Shoppe is tucked in a comfortable and convenient setting behind Bob’s Diner. Bob’s is special because of the great milk shakes on the menu inside, which are also available at the windows of the Ice Cream Shoppe. Customers are served fun flavors of soft and hard ice cream that can be eaten on the patio, complete with children’s toys. People often linger at the patio tables, enjoying conversation with other ice cream eaters. It’s open every day until 9 p.m.

Another place for exceptional ice cream is Country Classics on Route 7 near General Clinton Park (Open every day, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.). At this local favorite, you can get great ice cream and grilled items during the summer season. The ice cream comes in huge portions for the price, and the staff is friendly, made up of mostly local high school and college students. This roadside stand provides picnic tables in a grassy area nearby for those who want to socialize as they enjoy their cone or grilled food.

If doughnuts sound like your treat of choice, try the Donut Shack, open Fridays and Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. For a summer, seasonal delicacy, the amazing donuts at the Donut Shack are to die for – melt in your mouth texture, with a sweet, slightly crunchy surface. The Shack, and it really is a humble shed, is located on the grounds of Frog Pond Farm on Route 7, one mile west of Bainbridge. The donuts taste so good because they are made with only real ingredients, such as real butter and cream and no preservatives. The Shack is run by the Cherry Family who greet visitors with a smile, and include their three young daughters in their small-town customer service.